Tape perforator

ABSTRACT

In apparatus for perforating a length of tape, one end of each of a plurality of punches that cooperate with a die plate is removably mounted on an equal number of lift levers. A single, transverse pin that is mounted in a pivotable cradle support the lift levers. The pivot axis of the cradle is defined by opposed trunnions and is approximately conicidental with a transverse plane that defines the vertical axis of the punches. Eccentric drive crank means are used for oscillating the cradle. In the non-punching mode the punches do not move vertically because the transverse plane defining their vertical axes is on approximately the same axis about which the cradle oscillates so that when the pivoted end of the lift levers moves up, the free end moves down and vice versa. In the punching mode, a plurality of fulcrum levers that are balanced on knife edges are individually moved into interfering relationship with the free end of selected lift levers to prevent the downward movement thereof so that, when the pivoted end of the selected lift lever is moved upwardly by the eccentric crank the respective punch will move upwardly and thereby perforate the paper. Means are provided for positively retracting the punches after perforation. Means are also included for synchronizing the feed of the tape with respect to the actuation of the fulcrum levers so that the tape is fed only in the non-punching mode. Still other means are provided for backspacing the tape in response to an appropriate electrical signal.

[4 1 Mar. 11, 1975 United States Patent [191 Canick et al.

pivotable cradle support the lift levers. The pivot axis Inventors: LeonN. Canick, Fresh Meadows; of the .cradle is fi by Opposed trunnions andis Charles S. Aldrich St. James both approximately conicidental with atransverse plane that defines the vertical axis of the punches.Eccentric drive crank means are used for oscillating the cradle.

Precision Mechanisms Corporation In the non-punching mode the punches donot move 6, 1973 vertically because the transverse plane defining theirm P w E n P A S T A M H N U U U [22] Filed:

vertical axes is on approximately the same axis about pp 386,215 whichthe cradle oscillates so that when the pivoted end of the lift leversmoves up, the free end moves down and vice versa. In the punching mode,a plurality of fulcrum levers that are balanced on knife edges areindividually moved into interfering relationship with the free end ofselected lift levers to prevent the 929 00 l l l M m 2M w b .1 H M m 2mmh .c -l 3 9 S IL .t C d Ld UhF UHo o 555 [[l downward movement thereofso that, when the piv References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/l96ll/l97l oted end of the selected lift lever is moved upwardly by theeccentric crank the respective punch will move Simmerman et 234/l l0Terbrueggen.............,......,..

upwardly and thereby perforate the paper. Means are provided forpositively retracting the punches after I perforation. Means are alsoincluded for synchronizing Pnmary Exammer jj Master the feed of the tapewith respect to the actuation of Attorney Agent or FZrm'TLeOnard Kmg thefulcrum levers so that the tape is fed only in the non-punching mode.Still other means are provided for back-spacing the tape in response toan appropriate electrical signal.

[57] ABSTRACT In apparatus for perforating a length of tape, one end ofeach of a plurality of punches that cooperate with a die plate isremovably mounted on an equal number of lift levers. A single,transverse pin that is mounted in a 18 Claims, 16 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDHARI 1 I 1 Y @370224 sum 3 or 7 Err: r:

PATENTED 1 I975 SHEET 5 OF 7 O OE g 7? wZ SHEET 8. BF 7 FIGIZ TAPEPERFORATOR The aforementioned Abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application which, of course, is measured by theclaims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of theinvention in any way.

This invention relates generally to tape perforators and moreparticularly to an improved mechanism for actuating the punches thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides improved meansfor perforating a length of tape formed of paper, plastic, thin metalfoil or combinations thereof that are, for example, between 0.0025inches and 0.0045 inches thick. The present invention can punch atspeeds in the order of 75-100 characters per second on standard five,six, seven or eight track tapes. A plurality of punches are individuallymounted intermediate the ends of separate lift levers, each of whichlevers is pivotally mounted, at one end thereof, on a common pin that issecured to a cradle. An eccentric drive link, which is driven by amotor, is coupled to the cradle which is also pivotally mounted bytrunnions on a fixed support.

Normally the eccentric mounting of the drive link causes the ends ofthecradle and the lift levers to oscillate and move up and down togetherthrough a predetermined length of stroke. However, the punches will notperforate the paper since they are located approximately on the pivotaxis of the cradle. When it is desired to utilize one of the punches,one of a second group of fulcrum levers is brought into an interferingrelationship with the free end of the selected lift lever. Continuedmotion of the eccentric drive link will cause the selected lift leverand its associated punch to move independently of the cradle and, incooperation with a suitable die, to perforate the tape since the liftlever that supports the punch is prevented from .moving downwardly withthe supporting cradle. The fulcrum levers are balanced on a pair ofknife edges and are pivoted to a position that interferes with the firstlever by means of the energization of a coil. Springs provide the meansfor returning the fulcrum levers to their original positions.Conventional circuit means are used to actuate the coils in response toinput signals that correspond to the desired sequence and pattern ofperforations.

In addition to the eccentric drive system that supports the punchcradle, a second eccentrically mounted link system is supported on thesame drive shaft and times the tape feed to cause advance of the tapeonly when the lift levers and fulcrum levers are in the nonpunching modeand the punches are below the tape slot. The tape is advanced by meansof a toothed feed sprocket that is driven through a ratchet motion whichis responsive to the second eccentric link system. A second solenoidactuated ratchet arrangement provides a backspacing function for thetape. The preferred form of the present invention provides simplifiedmeans for slipping the length of tape under a tape guide and around thefeed sprocket. The tape guide also includes a switch for detecting atape break or the end of the tape and stops for different widths of tapeas well as a single stop that is common to all widths of tape.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved tape perforator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape perforator,as described above, having improved means for selectively displacing oneor more punches.

A different object of this invention is to provide tape feed timingmeans in combination with the tape punching means.

An additional object of this invention is to provide tape backspacingmeans in combination with the tape feed means.

A further object of this invention is to provide simplifled means forinserting different widths of tape into the tape feeding means.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will,in part, be pointed out with particularity, and will, in part, becomeobvious from the following more detailed description of the invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms anintegral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawinglike reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view, partially broken away and withportions omitted for clarity illustrating certain structural features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary plan view of a typical length of perforatedtape;

FIG. 2 is a schematic end elevational view, partially broken away andpartially in section, illustrating the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section and partially inphantom, taken along line 3 -3 of FIG.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic elevational views illustrating variouspositions of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of a preferred form of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 5',

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5; I

FIG. 8 is another vertical sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.5;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken along line 9--9of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is another sectional plan view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.7; and

FIG. 13 is a timing diagram of the apparatus comprising the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The mode of operation of thepresent invention can best be understood by first referring to theschematic drawings of FIGS. 1-4. A shaft 20 is driven by a motor and adrive system such as meshing gears or belts and pulleys (not shown) anda crank type link 22 is mounted eccentrically on the motor driven shaft20. A cradle 24 is pivotally mounted on the link 22 and is alsopivotally mounted at 26 on fixed structure to be further describedhereinafter. A plurality of lift levers 28 are pivotally mounted on acommon transverse pin 30 that is secured to side walls of the cradle 24.Each of the lift levers 28 supports a punch 32 such tha the transverseplane defined by the plurality of punches 32 is approximatelycoincidental with the axis 26. As will be described later, a die plate33 cooperates with the punches 32.

A pair of plates 34 that are rigidly secured to the housing of theperforator are each provided with a plurality of V-shaped notches 36that are equal in number to the lift levers 28. A fulcrum lever 38having knife edges 40 at opposite ends thereof is mounted in each of theV-shaped notches 36. A first extension 42 of each fulcrum lever 38 ispositioned in close proximity with the free end of each lift lever 28that is opposite to the pin 30. A second extension 44 which acts as anarmature is provided along the length of each fulcrum lever 38 and ispositioned in close proximity to a coil 46 that is mounted on a bracket48 which is part of the magnetic path. Two magnetic poles 50a and 50bact as stops and in conjunction with the coil 46. The bracket 48 and thearmature portion of the second extension 44 compose the electromagneticcircuit. A non-magnetic shim 51 provides a low permeability air gap inthe magnetic circuit.

When the shaft 20 is rotated by the drive motor the eccentricallyoriented link 22 will move up and down causing the cradle 24 tooscillate about the axis 26 together with the lift levers 28. When oneof the coils 46 are energized, the second extension 44 of the respectivefulcrum lever 38 will be brought into engagement with the armature ofthe coil 46 causing the selected fulcrum lever 38 to pivot about itsknife edges 40 and thereby place the upper end of the first extensions42 in direct opposition to the free end ofthe respective lift lever 28.This is shown in phantom outline in FIG. 3 wherein it will also be notedthat the upper end of the first extensions 42 of the fulcrum levers 38are normally laterally spaced from the lift levers 28 when the apparatusis not in the punching mode.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the neutral position of the punch 32 is below thelower plane of the tape T when the axis of the link 22 is at its lowestposition with respect to the axis of the shaft 20. In the non-punchingmode the shaft 20 cranks the link 22, which will oscillate both thecradle 24 and the lift levers 28 as a unit about the axis 26. In thenon-punching mode, the free end of the lift levers 28 will bypass thelaterally spaced upper end of the extensions 42 as shown in FIG. 48 whenthe axis of the link 22 is at its highest position with respect to theaxis of the shaft 20. However, when the coil 46 is energized in thepunching mode and the first extension 42 is displaced into aninterfering position with the free end of the selected lift lever 28(FIG. 4C), the continued oscillation of the cradle 24 will cause thepivoted end of the lift lever 28 to move upwardly and thereby cause thepunch 32 to move above the plane of the tape T and engage the die platewhich is schematically designated by the reference character 33. Thefree end of the lift levers 28 cannot move downwardly due to theinterference described hereinabove. At this time a spring 52, positionedbetween the lift lever 28 and a portion ofthe cradle 24, will becompressed so that when the coil 46 is de-energized and the firstextension 42 is moved away from the interfering position shown in FIG.4C, the spring 52 will act downwardly on the lift lever 28 and willwithdraw the punch 32 from the die plate 33 and the tape T. However, thewithdrawal of the punches 32 is not solely dependent on the action ofthe springs 52. Should a punch 32 stick it will be positively retractedsince each lever 28 is provided with an auxilliary pivot 53 in the formof an'enlarged head end or projecting. Thus, the end 53 of the lever 28will bear against a fixed upper stop 54 and the punch 32 will bewithdrawn as the pivoted end 30 thereof moves downwardly with the end 53acting as the pivot axis of the affected lever 28.

A typical length of tape T is shown in FIG. 1A. A generally central lineof openings 55 is punched into the tape T and is used for driving thetape T in a manner to be descrbed hereinafter. The remaining openings 56are formed by the punches 32. As shown in the drawing the holes 54 maybe smaller than openings 56.

The construction of a preferred embodiment will now be discussed inconnection with FIGS. 5 through 12. The shaft 20 is rotatably journalledin bearings 60 and 62 that are secured within end walls 64 and 66,respectively. Immediately inward of the end wall 64, a disc 68 isrigidly secured to the shaft 20 by means of a set screw 70. The disc 68includes a magnet 72 on the periphery thereof and a coil 74 (FIG. 11) issecured to the end wall 64 so that reference signals for the tape punchand the tapeadvance signals may be provided. A variable reluctancemagnetic pickup, light responsive means or other pulse generating meansmay be used in place of members 72 and 74.

As mentioned above the eccentric link 22 is also mounted on the shaft20. As shown for example in FIGS. 5 and 7, the link 22 is molded of alight weight, plastic material and is supported on the shaft 20 by meansof a bearing 76 in order to minimize friction. The bearing 76 is, inturn, mounted on a sleeve 78 that is secured to the shaft 20 by means ofa set screw 80. The rotational axes of the link 22, the bearing 76 andthe sleeve 78 are concentric with respect to each other but eccentricwith respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 20.

The other end of the link 22 is provided with a bearing82 that issupported on an eccentric pin 84 which is adjustably mounted within aclevis 86 formed integrally with the underside of the cradle 24. Thepivot pin 30 is secured to a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls88 that are formed integrally with and extend upwardly from the cradle24. Spacers 90 are interposed between each of the lift levers 28 and arealso mounted on the pivot pin 30, as shown for example in FIG. 7.

A U -shaped member 92 is mounted on the end wall 64 by means of suitablefasteners and supports trunnions 94 that define the pivot axis 26 forthe cradle 24. A block 96 is removably secured to the support 92 bymeans of screws 98. The punches 32 extend through accurately formedopenings 100 in the block 96. The lower end of each of the punches 32 isprovided with a reduced diameter portion 102 and an enlarged head 104that is received in a notch 106 formed on the upper surface of each ofthe lift levers 28 proximate the midpoint thereof. It should be noted atthis time that the head 104 of each punch is located approximatelycoincidental with the pivot axis 26.

As described previously, the end of each of the lift levers 28 oppositethe pivot pin 30 is provided with an enlarged head end 53 that defines ashoulder 108. The upper end 110 of the first extension 42 of eachfulcrum lever 38 is positioned in close proximity with the shoulder 108but laterally spaced from the plane thereof. A slotted guide member 112is arranged to receive'the head end 53 of each of the lift levers 28 anda slotted guide member 114, which is secured to another end wall 116, isarranged to receive the upper end of each of the first extensions 42.The first slotted guide member 112 is secured to the second slottedguide member 114 with the slots in each of these members being inalignment with each other. Normally, as shown in FIG. 4A there is aclearance C between shoulder 108 and end 110.

Another end wall 118 is provided in spaced, parallel oppositioned withthe end wall 116. The plates 34, each having the V-shaped notches 36,are secured to the walls 116 and 118, as shown for example in FIG. 5 andin FIG. 6. Directly shown above each of the plates 34 there is provideda transverse bar 120 that is secured to the walls 116 and 118 by meansof screws 122 and which contains one end of the springs 124. The otherend of the springs 124 are mounted on projections 125 formed integrallyat both ends of each of the fulcrum levers 38 and is positioned betweenthe confronting surfaces of each of the fulcrum levers 38 and theunderside of the bar 120. There is a similarly mounted spring 124positioned at both ends of each of the levers 38.

The tape feed mechanism will now be described in connection with FIGS.5-12. A second, plastic link 126 is also mounted on the shaft 20 bymeans of a bearing member 128. A sleeve supports the bearing 128 and issecured to the shaft 20 by means of a set screw 132. The rotational axesof the second link 126, the bearing 128 and the sleeve 130 areconcentric with respect to each other but eccentric with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft 20. It should be noted at this time thatthe angular positions of the links 22 and 126, with respect to eachother, are arranged so that the tape is fed in timed relationship withthe movement of the cradle 24. i

The link 126 is formed ofa lightweight, plastic material and supportsone end ofa lever 134 by means of a low friction bearing 136 and a pin134. A pin l40'is mounted in the other end of the lever 134. An L-shaped bracket 142 having a U-shaped upper end 144 is slideably mountedon the pin 140. The other leg. of the L-shaped bracket 142 is positionedin close proximity to the poles 146 of a pair of coils 148 which aresuitably mounted on the wall 66 and which are preferably wired so thatthe pole faces are of opposite polarity. The L-shaped bracket 142 at itsopposite end is secured to a sleeve 150 which is mounted in a bearing152. A post 154, which also is secured to the end wall 66 supports thebearing 152. For purposes to be described hereinafter, the pin 140 alsosupports a first pawl 156. A torsion spring 158 is wound around the pin140 as well as around a stud 160 that is secured to the lever 134.

A shaft 162 is journaled on bearing means 164 that are positioned withinthe end walls 64 and 66. The shaft 162 is generally parallel with andspaced above the shaft 20. A feed sprocket 166 having a plurality ofradially oriented teeth 168 formed on the periphery thereof is securedto the shaft 162 by means ofa set screw 170. A ratchet 172 is adjustablymounted on the shaft by means of a screw 173 that is mounted on theshaft 162. The head of the screw 173 is eccentric with respect to itsshank and is arranged to provide slight angular displacement of theratchet 172 with respect to the sprocket 166. The ratchet 172 isarranged to be angularly displaced in step-wise increments by means of apawl 156. In order to assure that the ratchet 172 moves only a fixedangular increment, a detent. generally designated by the referencecharacter 174 (FIGS. 7 and 12) is provided. The detent 174 is pivotallymounted on a shaft 176 that is secured to the wall 66 and is providedwith an arm 178 from which a pin 180 extends. The pin 180 is arranged toengage the teeth of a second ratchet 184 that is also mounted on theshaft 162. A torsion spring 186 extends between the arm 178 and aneccentric stud 188 that is pivotably in the end wall 66 to serve also asan adjustable back stop.

When the coils 148 are energized, one leg of the L- shaped bracket 142will be drawn against the armatures thereof. The other end oftheL-shaped bracket 142 will swing the lever 134 about the pin 138 andthereby engage the pawl 156 with the teeth of the ratchet 172. Astabilizing link 190 is pivotally connected to the second link system126 by means of a pivot pin 192 and to the wall 66 by means of a pivotpin 194. A torsion spring 196 extends between the link 190 proximate thepivot pin 194 and one arm of the L-shaped bracket 142 and serves as areturn spring for the armatures of the coils 148.

The tape T is very easily inserted by sliding the free end thereofbeneath a first cover 198 that is secured to a top plate 200. The cover198 is provided with an entrance end 202. A guide arm 204 is pivotallymounted on a pin 206 that is secured to the cover 198. The guide arm 204includes a plurality of steps 208 that define guide surfaces for onelongitudinal edge of different width tapes, for example ll/l6, 7/8 or 1inch wide. The other edge of the tape is guided by a surface 210 of anextension 212 that is integral with the cover 198. A

switch 214 for detecting the end of or a break in the tape T is mounteddirectly below the arm 204. The switch 214 is secured to the die plate33 which in turn is secured to the extension'2l2.

After traversing the first cover 198 the tape T is then threaded beneathbeveled inlet end 216 of die plate 33 that is positioned directly abovethe punches 32. A cover 218 is provided to contain and guide the punchedout portion or chad, ofthe tape through an outlet channel 219 as shownby the arrow in FIG. 8. The tape T is then threaded over the teeth 168of the sprocket 166 and exits the perforator comprising this inventionat a bar 220 that has a curved outlet end 222.

A cover plate, generally designated by the reference character 224, isprovided for the sprocket 166. The cover plate 224 is pivotally mountedon a pin 226 that is integral with one arm of a bell crank lever 228.The

other end of the bell crank lever 228 is provided with a rod 230 thatincludes a transverse stop pin 232 and a compression spring 234. The rod230 extends through a pin 236 that is journaled in the end wall 64 (FIG.7) on a bearing 238. The bell crank lever 228 and the compression spring234, in combination with the rod 230, provides an overcenter togglearrangement for the cover 224. The cover 224 is raised in the threadingoperation and lowered as final take loading sequence step.

As shown, for example in FIG. 12, a backspacing arrangement is alsoprovided with the present invention. The backspacing structure permits acode delete operation for punching all holes and includes a coil 240having a spring biased armature 242. The coil 240 is mounted on the endwall 66 and the armature 242 thereof supports a lever 244 that ispivoted on a pin 246. A pawl 248 is pivotally mounted on a pin 250 thatis integral with the lever 244. It should be noted that the pawl 248 ispositioned in the plane of the second ratchet 184 whose teeth areoriented in a direction that is opposite to the teeth of the firstratchet 172.

As mentioned earlier, the circuitry for controlling the taper perforatorcomprising this invention is conventional and, as such, forms no part ofthe invention. Bearing this in mind, reference may now be had to FIG. 13which schematically illustrates a timing chart. As shown, when 75characters per second (cps) are perforated, one complete cycle willoccur in approximately 13.33 ms. Similarly, 50 cps are perforated inapproximately 20 ms while 60 cps are perforated in 16.66 ms.

The combination of the magnetic slug 72 on the shaft 20 and the variablereluctance magnetic pick-up 74 provides a reference signal with respectto the position of shaft 20 that the conventional circuitry for pulsingthe solenoids 46 that control the actuation of the punches 32 and thesolenoids 148 that control the actuation of the pawl 156. By way ofexample, when 75 cps are perforated the solenoids 46 and 148 each areenergized for approximately 6.5 ms, there being approximately a 3.0 msdelay intermediate the energization of the solenoids 46 and 148.

The approximately 6.5 ms pulse to the solenoid 46 is timed to bring thefulcrum extension 42 under the end 53 of the lever 28 at or before thetime that the clearance c between them is formed by the position ofcradle 24. As the clearance c is taken up, the fulcrum arm 42 ismaintained in place by retained magnetic force which does not end whenthe pulse ends and by the mechanical locking action produced by theslant of the fulcrum levers 42 and the force produced by the springs 52acting through the lift levers 28. this double action significantly addsto the reliability of the unit. The tape cannot be advanced during thepunching cycle because of the mechanical timing of the two eccentrics.The pawl eccentric starts downward only after the punches 32 have beenretracted beneath the paper slot surface. The approximately 6.5 ms pulseto the solenoid 148 is timed to engage the pawl 156 with the ratchet 172by the time the pawl 156 is on its downward stroke.

The tape perforator described hereinabove provides for a high degree offlexibility, reliability and quiet operation. Tape perforation speeds ofup to 75 characters per second or more are available on five, six, sevenand eight track tapes that may be made of paper, plastics such as mylarfor example and aluminum plasticspaper combinations from 0.0025 inchesto 0.0045 inches thick by either ll/l6 inch, inch or 1 inch wide. Thevarious tape widths may readily be accomadated without altering orchanging the tape guide which also includes a tape break or tape endsensor.

Any desired character may be punched by applying a 28 volt d.c. pulse toa pulse selector bank for each hole in the character. A tape advancepulse then moves the tape into a position to receive the next character.Reference signals for the tape punch and tape advance signals areprovided by means of a magnetic timing coil. The punches aremechanically actuated only when the tape is at rest and the tape ismechanically advanced only when the punches are completely withdrawn.Broad tolerance for timing and duration of the tape punch and advancepulses is provided by mechanical storage of early pulses. Thus, neithertape punching nor tape advance can take place, even in the presence ofdemand pulses, until the drive shaft has moved to the correct position.

Positive punching and punch retraction are provided by means of crankarm and lever linkage arrangement, in combination with a positive motordrive. Thus, the mechanical wear and operating uncertainties that areinherent in clutch mechanisms and spring retraction systems areminimized. Two screws and precision ways are used to very simply replacethe punch and die assembly in a minimum time when the punches becomeworn.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the inventionpresently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made thereto without departing from thespirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A tape perforator comprising:

a. a cradle pivotally mounted on a fixed support for oscillatingmovement about a first transverse axis;

b. drive means for oscillating said cradle about said first axis;

c. a first plurality of elongated lift levers pivotally mountedproximate one end thereof in said cradle for selective oscillatingmovement about a second, transverse axis that is substantially parallelto and spaced from said first axis;

(1. an elongated punch mounted at one end on each said first leverproximate said first axis, the longitudinal axis of each said punchbeing substantially perpendicular to said first axis, the axis of saidpunches being in a plane that is approximately coincidental with saidfirst axis;

e. means for advancing the tape along a plane that traverses theplane'of the longitudinal axis of said punches;

f. a second plurality of elongated fulcrum levers equal in number tosaid first plurality of levers, said secondlevers being pivotable aboutaxes that are substantially parallel to the planes of said first leversand movable between a first, non-punching mode position and a second,punching mode position whereby, in said first position of said secondlevers, said cradle and said first levers oscillate as a unit about saidfirst axis and said punches are substantially devoid of movement indirections along the longitudinal axis thereof so that said punches donot perforate the tape and whereby, in said second position, said secondlevers interfere with the movement of said first levers so that saidcradle continues to oscillate about said first axis but said firstlevers oscillate about said second axis to cause said punches to movelongitudinally above the plane of and through the tape; and

g. means for selectively moving said second levers from said firstposition to said second position.

2. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 and further includingspring means normally biasing said first levers in a direction wherebysaid punches are withdrawn from the tape.

3. The perforator in accordance with claim I further including means forpositively retracting said punches in the event one of said punchesbecomes struck during the punching mode of operation, said retractingmeans comprising a fixed stop located proximate the end of said firstlevers that is remote from said second axis and an extension on each ofsaid second levers, each said extension being positioned so as tointerfere with and maintain said remote end of said first lever inengage ment with said fixed stop whereby continued oscillation of saidcradle causes pivoting thereof about said remote lever end to therebyretract said punch.

4. The perforator in accordance with claim wherein said punches areremovably secured to said first levers.

5. The perforator in accordance with claim 4 and further including aremovably fixed guide block having openings therein for slidablyreceiving said punches.

6. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 and further including knifeedge support means for said second levers.

7. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means formoving said second levers are an equal number of solenoids thearmaturesof which are coupled to said second levers.

8. The perforator in accordance with claim land further including springmeans for normally biasing said second levers to said first positionthereof.

9. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means foroscillating said cradle comprises a motor driven shaft and a first linkmounted eccentrically on said shaft, said cradle being coupled to saidshaft.

10. The perforator in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means foradvancing the tape comprises a second link mounted eccentrically on saidshaft, a first ratchet and pawl assembly coupled and responsive to themovement of said second link and a sprocket driven by said ratchet, thetape having a line of perforations that are engaged by said sprocket.

11. The perforator in accordance with claim 10 and further includingsolenoid and armature means coupled to said first pawl for selectivelyactuating said first ratchet in timed relationship to the movement ofsaid first link.

12. The perforator in accordance with claim 9 and further includingbrake means for limiting the movement of said first ratchet to oneangular increment.

13. The perforator in accordance with claim 9 and further includingmeans for backspacing the tape.

14. The perforator in accordance with claim 13 wherein said backspacingmeans comprises a second ratchet and pawl assembly coupled to saidsprocket and a solenoid having an armature coupled to said second pawl.

15. The perforator in accordance with claim 8 wherein the axes of saidsecond lever biasing spring means are at an acute angle with respect tothe axes of said punches to thereby impart a moment force to said secondlevers.

16. The perforator in accordance with claim 10 further including meansfor axially displacing and changing the pitch of said tape engagingsprocket.

17. A tape perforator comprising:

a. a cradle pivotally mounted on a fixed support for oscillatingmovement about a first transverse axis;

b. drive means for oscillating said cradle about said first axis;

c. a first plurality of elongated levers pivotally mounted proximate oneend thereof in said cradle for selective oscillating movement about asecond, transverse axis that is substantially parallel to and spacedfrom said first axis;

d. an elongated punch mounted at one end on each said first leverproximate said first axis, the longitudinal axis of each said punchbeing substantially perpendicular to said first axis;

e. means for advancing the tape along a plane that traverses the planeof the longitudinal axis of said punches;

second plurality of elongated levers equal in number to said firstplurality of levers, said second levers being movable between a first,non-punching mode position and a second, punching mode position whereby,in said first position of said second levers, said cradle and saidlevers oscillate as a unit about said first axis and said punches aresubstantially devoid of movement in directions along the longitudinalaxes thereof so that said punches do not perforate the tape and whereby,in said second levers interfere with the movement of said first leversso that said cradle continues to oscillate abut said first axis butsaidfirst levers oscillate about said second axis to cause said punchesto move longitudinally above the plane of and through the tape;

g. means for selectively moving said second levers from said secondposition; and

h. a means for positively retracting said punches in the event one ofsaid punches becomes stuck during the punching mode of operation, saidretracting means comprising a fixed stop located proximate the end ofsaid first levers that is remote from said second axis and an extensionon each of said second levers, each said extension being positioned soas to interfere with and maintain said remote end of said first lever inengagement with said fixed stop whereby continued oscillation of saidcradle causes pivoting thereof about said remote lever to therebyretract said punch.

18. A tape perforator comprising:

a. a cradle pivotally mounted on a fixed support for oscillatingmovement about a first transverse axis;

b; drive means for oscillating said cradle about said first axis;

c. a first plurality of elongated levers pivotally mounted proximate oneend thereof in said cradle for selective oscillating movement about asecond, transverse axis that is substantially parallel to and spacedfrom said first axis;

d. an elongated punch mounted at one end on each said first leverproximate said first axis, the longitudinal axis of each said punchbeing substantially perpendicular to said first axis;

e. meansfor advancing the tape along a plane that traverses the plane ofthe longitudinal axis of said punches;

f. a second plurality of elongated levers equal in number to said firstplurality of levers, said second levers being movable between a first,non-punching mode position and a second, punching mode position whereby,in said first position of said second levers, said cradle and said firstlevers oscillate as a unit about said first axis and said punches aresubstantially devoid of movement in directions along the longitudinalaxes thereof so that said punches do not perforate the tape and whereby,in said second position, said second levers interfere with the movementof said first levers so that said cradle continues to oscillate aboutsaid first axis but said 3,870,224 11 12 first levers oscillate aboutsaid second axis to cause and said punches to move longitudinally abovethe h. meansfor selectively moving said second levers plane of andthrough the tape; from said first position to said second position. g.knife edge support means for said second levers;

1. A tape perforator comprising: a. a cradle pivotally mounted on afixed support for oscillating movement about a first transverse axis; b.drive means for oscillating said cradle about said first axis; c. afirst plurality of elongated lift levers pivotally mounted proximate oneend thereof in said cradle for selective oscillating movement about asecond, transverse axis that is substantially parallel to and spacedfrom said first axis; d. an elongated punch mounted at one end on eachsaid first lever proximate said first axis, the longitudinal axis ofeach said punch being substantially perpendicular to said first axis,the axis of said punches being in a plane that is approximatelycoincidental with said first axis; e. means for advancing the tape alonga plane that traverses the plane of the longitudinal axis of saidpunches; f. a second plurality of elongated fulcrum levers equal innumber to said first plurality of levers, said second levers beingpivotable about axes that are substantially parallel to the planes ofsaid first levers and movable between a first, non-punching modeposition and a second, punching mode position whereby, in said firstposition of said second levers, said cradle and said first leversoscillate as a unit about said first axis and said punches aresubstantially devoid of movement in directions along the longitudinalaxis thereof so that said punches do not perforate the tape and whereby,in said second position, said second levers interfere with the movementof said first levers so that said cradle continues to oscillate aboutsaid first axis but said first levers oscillate about said second axisto cause said punches to move longitudinally above the plane of andthrough the tape; and g. means for selectively moving said second leversfrom said first position to said second position.
 1. A tape perforatorcomprising: a. a cradle pivotally mounted on a fixed support foroscillating movement about a first transverse axis; b. drive means foroscillating said cradle about said first axis; c. a first plurality ofelongated lift levers pivotally mounted proximate one end thereof insaid cradle for selective oscillating movement about a second,transverse axis that is substantially parallel to and spaced from saidfirst axis; d. an elongated punch mounted at one end on each said firstlever proximate said first axis, the longitudinal axis of each saidpunch being substantially perpendicular to said first axis, the axis ofsaid punches being in a plane that is approximately coincidental withsaid first axis; e. means for advancing the tape along a plane thattraverses the plane of the longitudinal axis of said punches; f. asecond plurality of elongated fulcrum levers equal in number to saidfirst plurality of levers, said second levers being pivotable about axesthat are substantially parallel to the planes of said first levers andmovable between a first, non-punching mode position and a second,punching mode position whereby, in said first position of said secondlevers, said cradle and said first levers oscillate as a unit about saidfirst axis and said punches are substantially devoid of movement indirections along the longitudinal axis thereof so that said punches donot perforate the tape and whereby, in said second position, said secondlevers interfere with the movement of said first levers so that saidcradle continues to oscillate about said first axis but said firstlevers oscillate about said second axis to cause said punches to movelongitudinally above the plane of and through the tape; and g. means forselectively moving said second levers from said first position to saidsecond position.
 2. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 andfurther including spring means normally biasing said first levers in adirection whereby said punches are withdrawn from the tape.
 3. Theperforator in accordance with claim 1 further including means forpositively retracting said punches in the event one of said punchesbecomes stuck during the punching mode of operation, said retractingmeans comprising a fixed stop located proximate the end of said firstlevers that is remote from said second axis and an extension on each ofsaid second levers, each said extension being positioned so as tointerfere with and maintain said remote end of said first lever inengagement with said fixed stop whereby continued oscillation of saidcradle causes pivoting thereof about said remote lever end to therebyretract said punch.
 4. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid punches are removably secured to said first levers.
 5. Theperforator in accordance with claim 4 and further including a removablyfixed guide block having openings therein for slidably receiving saidpunches.
 6. The perforator in accordance with claim 1 and furtherincluding knife edge support means for said second levers.
 7. Theperforator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for moving saidsecond levers are an equal number of solenoids the armatures of whichare coupled to said second levers.
 8. The perforator in accordance withclaim 1 and further including spring means for normally biasing saidsecond levers to said first position thereof.
 9. The perforator inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said means for oscillating said cradlecomprises a motor driven shaft and a first link mounted eccentrically onsaid shaft, said cradle being coupled to said shaft.
 10. The perforatorin accordance with claim 9 wherein said means for advancing the tapecomprises a second link mounted eccentrically on said shaft, a firstratchet and pawl assembly coupled and responsive to the movement of saidsecond link and a sprocket driven by said ratchet, the tape having aline of perforations that are engaged by said sprocket.
 11. Theperforator in accordance with claim 10 and further including solenoidand armature means coupled to said first pawl for selectively actuatingsaid first ratchet in timed relationship to the movement of said firstlink.
 12. The perforator in accordance with claim 9 and furtherincluding brake means for limiting the movement of said first ratchet toone angular increment.
 13. The perforator in accordance with claim 9 andfurther including means for backspacing the tape.
 14. The perforator inaccordance with claim 13 wherein said backspacing means comprises asecond ratchet and pawl assembly coupled to said sprocket and a solenoidhaving an armature coupled to said second pawl.
 15. The perforator inaccordance with claim 8 wherein the axes of said second lever biasingspring means are at an acute angle with respect to the axes of saidpunches to thereby impart a moment force to said second levers.
 16. Theperforator in accordance with claim 10 further including means foraxially displacing and changing the pitch of said tape engagingsprocket.
 17. A tape perforator comprising: a. a cradle pivotallymounted on a fixed support for oscillating movement about a firsttransverse axis; b. drive means for oscillating said cradle about saidfirst axis; c. a first plurality of elongated levers pivotally mountedproximate one end thereof in said cradle for selective oscillatingmovement about a second, transverse axis that is substantially parallelto and spaced from said first axis; d. an elongated punch mounted at oneend on each said first lever proximate said first axis, the longitudinalaxis of each said punch being substantially perpendicular to said firstaxis; e. means for advancing the tape along a plane that traverses theplane of the longitudinal axis of said punches; f. a second plurality ofelongated levers equal in number to said first plurality of levers, saidsecond levers being movable between a first, non-punching mode positionand a second, punching mode position whereby, in said first position ofsaid second levers, said cradle and said first levers oscillate as aunit about said first axis and said punches are substantially devoid ofmovement in directions along the longitudinal axes thereof so that saidpunches do not perforate the tape and whereby, in said second leversinterfere with the movement of said first levers so that said cradlecontinues to oscillate abut said first axis but said first leversoscillate about said second axis to cause said punches to movelongitudinally above the plane of and through the tape; g. means forselectively moving said second levers from said second position; and h.a means for positively retracting said punches in the event one of saidpunches becomes stuck during the punching mode of operation, saidretracting means comprising a fixed stop located proximate the end ofsaid first levers that is remote from said second axis and an extensionon each of said second levers, each said extension being positioned soas to interfere with and maintain said remote end of said first lever inengagement with said fixed stop whereby continued oscillation of saidcradle causes pivoting thereof about said remote lever to therebyretract said punch.